WACO – McCaleb Taylor booted a 26-yard field goal with four seconds left to lift Fort Worth Nolan to a 48-45 win over Trinity Christian-Addison in the TAPPS Division I football championship at Floyd Casey Stadium.

“It was just another kick,” Taylor said. “That’s all I saw it as, and it went through.”

Taylor also kicked a 25-yard field goal late in the third quarter, and a 1-yard touchdown plunge from Joe Montez put Nolan (12-2) in front 45-33 with 8 1/2 minutes left to play.

But Trinity Christian (11-3) responded with two quick touchdowns to tie the contest 45-45 with just over three minutes remaining. Daniel Davidson, who passed for 382 yards and four touchdowns, first connected with Tanner Snow, who caught six passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns, for a 61-yard scoring toss.

After a Nolan punt, Trinity Christian traveled 53 yards in eight plays with Nahshon Ellerbe, who rushed for 132 yards on 18 carries, scoring from 13 yards away. But both PATs went awry, leaving the score tied.

“We just dug in and kept fighting,” Trinity Christian head coach Steve Hays said. “It was a great game, and I think we just ran out of time.”

Five turnovers, three fumbles and two interceptions, prevented Trinity Christian from taking control and allowed Nolan to run its ball control offense. Joseph Prud’homme threw for 214 yards and one touchdown and led Nolan in rushing with 107 yards on 15 carries.

Trinity Christian pulled to within a point at 28-27 on Ellerbe’s 1-yard run with 1:33 left before halftime. But Nolan advanced to the Trinity Christian 26-yard line with three seconds remaining and attempted a 43-yard field goal .

Taylor’s kick was blocked. But Sam McQuilkin touched the ball around the 3 and knocked it into the end zone. Johnathon Muraski recovered, and Nolan took a 35-27 lead at the half.

The win gives Nolan four state titles in the last five years.

“That’s one of the most nerve wracking,” Nolan head coach Joe Prud’homme said. “But anytime we play TCA , it goes down to the wire.”

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